What to Wear Under Your Robe at Winter Graduation

Winter graduation is approaching fast. Between studying, final projects and preparing for what is to come next, many grads-to-be don’t have time to plan their outfits.

No problem. Here are some quick tips on what to wear under your robe at graduation.

Dress for the weather, and wear something that will feel great when standing, walking and sitting through long ceremonies. 

Of course, it’s also important to dress professionally. Graduation day is a day for celebrating your accomplishments and taking a lot of photos, so you’ll want to wear something that won’t look embarrassing on the mantle or framed on the wall. What should you wear?

Tops

Most graduation gowns are cut low enough to show a shirt or top, so avoid brightly colored tops to avoid clashing with your gown. These are the most popular choices for men and women:

• Men - A collared dress shirt and tie. 

• Women - A collared blouse or scoop/v-neck top.

Bottoms

Your ankles will be visible beneath the robe, so make sure to wear a dark or neutral color on your bottoms. Most grads choose:

• Men - Khakis or dark colored dress pants.

• Women - Dress pants or a narrow skirt (no wider than an A-line style)

Footwear

For both men and women, don’t overlook your footwear. You’ll be doing a lot of standing and walking, so leave the high heels at home.